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.....
music for occasions.....
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World
Music Options
West
African Trio "Bal du Kor"

Three veteran performers, composers, and recording artists
join forces to play indigenous instruments from
West Africa, along with alto flute and vocal bass.
They create a panoply of
stirring and soothing colors, and
their recent appearances have included
the Doubletree Hotel (San Jose) and the
Castilleja School (Palo Alto).
"On Wednesday, February 14, 2007,
the talented West African Trio “Bal du Kor” performed with
indigenous African instruments playing authentic
West African music...to the delight of all."
—Castilleja School
O
Ba Yay
Voice, Djembe,
Djun-djuns, Bells
1:05
Saffron
Alto
Flute, Kora, Dun-dun
:56
The
Morning Wind Speaks
Voice,
Balafon, Kora, Tambourine
:28
Upside-down Umbrella
Kora,
Djembe, Djuns-djuns, Shakers
:33
photo
gallery
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West
African Balafon
Michael
plays a specially tuned "balafon" or marimba made
by a master craftsman in Guinea. Its sweet tone is heard
throughout Africa and increasingly in world fusion music.
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balafon
1 - solo, played freely
balafon
2 - solo,
in tempo
balafon
3 - duo with vibraphone, played
freely
balafon
4-
duo with vibraphone,
in tempo
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| West
African Tone Drum |
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This
unique twelve-note tone drum was made by Australian instrument
builder Al Wunder. The origin of this instrument was found
to contain two and occassionally three tones made out of
a hollowed log, hence its original description, "log
drum". Tribes would literally communicate to one another
using this and other indigenous instruments.
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tone
drum - with additional hand percussion
and wood flute
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South
African Shona Mbira
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Shona
mbira music is known to have originated in Zimbabwe
over 700 years ago. Each piece consists of a basic cyclical
pattern which includes numerous intertwined melodies,
often with contrasting rhythms. The example here represents
Michael's investigation into the world of gentle trance-polyrhythmic
play, using his digital keyboard. |
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Mbira
- solo
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| Brazilian
Acoustic Guitar |
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The
music of Brazil often incorporates the classical guitar
sound. Though not a guitarist, Michael has had many years
of experience performing this style using the classic nylon
string guitar sound on his digital keyboard.
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If
You Never Come To Me (A.C. Jobim) -
slow bossa-nova
Vera
Cruz (M. Nascimiento) - fast samba
arrangements
by Michael Smolens
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North
Indian Tablas/Harmonium
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Not
only does North India possess one of the most intoxicating
musical cultures, but it has also permeated the entire Bay
Area. The traditional instruments of tabla, harmonium and
voice easily meld with any Western instrument such as saxophone,
keyboard, and drum set. What you will hear is one of several
different harmonium sounds available on Michael's digital
keyboard.
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tabla
- solo, played freely
harmonium
and tabla
- duet
harmonium
and tabla - ensemble with voice, in tempo
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Middle
Eastern Dumbek
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This
mainstay Middle Eastern drum complements virtually any melodic
instrument or voice, and creates a sensuous sonic environment.
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dumbek
- with Turkish G Clarinet
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Caribbean
Steel Pans
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This
Caribbean island instrument was originally made from used
oil barrels, fashioned into shape with hammers. They have
since inspired an entire musical genre, and are now manufactured.
The instruments that Michael plays are known as "double-
seconds", and have a mellower tone than the more frequently
heard "lead" pan.
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double
second steel pans - with drum set
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All music on this page ©2004 Second Sight Music and
Michael Smolens,
except where noted. All
Rights Reserved.
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